Confidence was never going to be a problem for J.J. McCarthy.
Of course, a quarterback coming off a game in which he nearly led his team back from a 24-point fourth-quarter deficit had every reason for self-belief. But as he prepared for his first start with the New York Giants on Sunday, McCarthy approached the opportunity at hand with a clear level of determination.
"Everything about this place, it feels very fitting for me," McCarthy said Wednesday, Oct. 21.
As someone who seldom seemed settled during his two-plus years with the Minnesota Vikings, McCarthy looked uniquely at home in his first extended run with his new team.
In repeatedly threading tight-window throws, McCarthy routinely put his conviction on display in a 27-21 overtime win over the
Houston Texans. He finished with 252 yards on 20-of-28 passing, becoming the first Giants quarterback since Eli Manning in 2011 to have two completions of 40-plus yards in the first quarter.
That aggression was no accident.
While some quarterbacks who take over near midseason amount to mere caretakers, McCarthy showed in last week's late push in a 34-27 loss to the New Orleans Saints how much of a spark he could provide the offense. On Sunday, he demonstrated that he could not only be a catalyst but also guide an offense through ups and downs.
With New York's rushing attack essentially lifeless until the second half, McCarthy readily attacked downfield in the early going. Though his rapport with the Giants' receiving corps remains a work in progress, he formed an impressive connection with Malik Nabers. McCarthy positioned the wideout to come open with a heave deep downfield on a slot fade in the first quarter to set up a short touchdown.
Even more impressive was his shot to Nabers toward the end of the second quarter. McCarthy found Nabers on a corner route and delivered the pass perfectly into his hands, setting up a field goal that Dominic Zvada would miss.
Nevertheless, Nabers might have been reflecting the mood of his entire sideline when he flashed a big grin after the play.
JJ McCarthy DIME to Malik Naberspic.twitter.com/RoP0UYiZbL https://t.co/RdjcphPLXw
— Underdog NFL (@UnderdogNFL) October 25, 2026
For all of the big plays that McCarthy managed to ignite – his first half also included a sideline dart to rookie Malachi Fields, who was able to turn upfield for a 47-yard gain – the third-year passer's greatest strides Sunday might have been made in the instances in which he thought better of taking a chance.
With the run game finally coming alive late and Houston's defense buckling down, McCarthy toggled to a more restrained approach. While the quarterback worked the underneath area, the rushing attack led the way for a 14-play, 80-yard touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, giving the Giants the lead before the Texans tied it up with less than a minute remaining.
But while Cam Skattebo's 42-yard jaunt and Devin Singletary's 30-yard touchdown scamper won the game for the Giants in overtime, it was McCarthy who put the team in position to prevail.
The Texans, of course, did plenty to leave the door ajar for such a performance. With safeties Jalen Pitre and Reed Blankenship ruled out for the game, Houston's once-vaunted secondary continued to suffer breakdowns. Penalties also loomed large for DeMeco Ryans' group, which had 10 flags accepted.
But even though McCarthy was sacked three times, he managed to avoid the game-defining mistakes that doomed his tenure in Minnesota.
McCarthy's day was not without error, as he occasionally forced passes or missed open opportunities. His next several starts might not be quite as smooth, either. But this was a promising opening statement for a quarterback in need of a clean slate and an offense searching for a way forward after losing Jaxson Dart for the season.
As he continues to sort out his risk tolerance, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft served up a reminder of the quarterback he can be: a big-play opportunist who can still be an efficient operator.
In the lead-up to his first start, McCarthy noted that he believed he was better prepared for his second stint as a starter than he was in his first, saying, "Experience does wonders."
This one might do plenty for both him and the Giants.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: J.J. McCarthy's first Giants start is a triumph – and reminder of QB's value
